PL urges government to publish education reports for students’ benefit

A 2011 international survey among 63 countries has ranked Malta in the 40^th place over the students' achievement in science.

The survey, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), showed that Maltese primary pupils fared badly in science.

With 446 points, Maltese children placed behind students coming from Turkey (463), Georgia (455), Iran (453) and Bahrain (449).

But the TIMSS report published on 11 December has not been released by the Ministry of Education.

"The decision by the ministry not to publicly release such reports betrays the purpose for participating in these studies," Labour's spokesman for education Evarist Bartolo said.

"These reports should be used to create a sincere national debate in which all stakeholders discuss the way forward for our children to fare better."

Flanked by Labour's spokesman for tertiary education Owen Bonnici, Bartolo said that the PL wasn't publishing the general report to score political points.

"We agree with government's decision to part in such studies. But we don't agree that they remain hidden away from the public eye. These reports are not about accusing government of failing the education sector but about learning and taking on the recommendations the reports make," Bartolo said.

He went on to urge the government to publish the country overview, which is currently only accessible to the government.

Bartolo said that the recommendations in the TIMSS report and that of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) were crucial to improve the students' education.

He went on to suggest that parents-to-be should be guided on how they could pave the way for their children's education by being their first 'teachers'. "It is a fact that the first three years are the most crucial for a child's education. Simple but effective measures like reading them stories and playing with them with numbers help the child's learning," he said.

Bartolo also said that government has carried out an internal report of education in child-care centres, a report which however has not been published.

"The way forward is to alleviate the red tape which teachers face. Moreover, they should enjoy the people's respect and reforms should be carried out hand-in-hand with them."

Owen Bonnici added that a successful primary and secondary education is important for the students' post-secondary and tertiary education.

"A solid platform is the key to see students furthering their studies and placing themselves in quality jobs," he added.